IN
THE
WIND
P36
Motocross Legend In Critical Condition
S
ix-time Motocross World
Champion Joel Robert is
fighting for his life after being
infected with Covid-19. The
Belgian was originally treated
on Monday, January 4, for the
virus, and was released from the
hospital. At home, his condi-
tion deteriorated quickly, and
he was rushed to Gilly hospital
(Grand Hopital De Charleroi) in
Belgium on Wednesday, January
6, where he went into cardiac
arrest while in the emergency
room. Doctors concluded that
the cardiac arrest, which lasted
several minutes, resulted in
"damage to vital functions," Rob-
ert's partner Josiane Marit told
the newspaper Le Soir.
The 77-year-old remains hospi-
talized in a coma and is fighting
for his life.
"It is terrible to see the state of
a champion of his caliber today,"
Marit stated. "He who lived all his
life at 100 miles per hour is now
dependent on a machine."
Robert is one of the most
decorated motocross athletes
in the history of the sport. The
77-year-old is also regarded for
creating and organizing moto-
cross events in Belgium such as
the Coupe de l'Aveir and the 12
Hours of Chinelle.
Robert has dealt with health
problems in recent years such
as diabetes, which caused him
to have part of his leg amputated
in 2018. The Belgian has had
multiple strokes and was starting
to incur heart and lung issues,
as well.
Our hearts are with the friends
and family of Joel Robert, whose
contributions to the sport and
larger-than-life personality are
unparalleled. CN
Six-time Motocross
World Champion,
Belgian Joel Robert
has been hospitalized
in critical condition.
